OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City Council Regular Meeting - August 12, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Wednesday, August 12, 2026
BodyGahanna, Ohio
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, August 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:21:29

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening, everyone.

0:03

Today is Monday, August 3rd, 2026.

0:06

I've got 704 p.m., so I'd like to go ahead and call to order this regular meeting of Gehanna City Council.

0:12

If you please join me and stand if you're able for the invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Vice President Jones.

0:20

This meeting belongs to all of us.

0:22

Those present in the room and those watching from home.

0:25

Those who speak today and those whose concerns are carried by others.

0:29

We come together across differences of background, belief, and perspective, bound by our shared stake in this community's future.

0:37

May our time together be productive and principled.

0:40

May we listen more than we assume.

0:42

Seek understanding before judgment and work towards solutions that lift our entire community.

0:49

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:06

Thank you, Ms.

1:06

Jones.

1:07

Mr.

1:08

Clerk, would you please call the role?

1:10

Here.

1:11

McGregor.

1:12

Here.

1:12

Pedova.

1:13

Here.

1:13

Renner.

1:14

Here.

1:14

Schnetzer.

1:15

Weaver.

1:16

Here.

1:17

All right, thank you, Mr.

1:18

Clerk.

1:19

All right.

1:19

Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda?

1:24

Seeing none, uh, a couple of housekeeping items.

1:27

Uh we have a full house this evening, and we have a couple very lengthy agendas here, so thank you everyone for being here.

1:34

Um, uh, we have a couple presentations here, and then we'll we we have our hearing of visitors section, which is for general comments, and then we have our public hearings.

1:44

We do ask that if you are are planning to speak in either of those uh agenda items, please see the clerk and fill out a speaker slip.

1:52

Um if you are here for the public hearing, we do ask that you speak during the public hearing portion uh when we get there.

2:00

Uh I would also like to highlight our our uh council office uh uh our morpsey intern, Miss Lance will be uh pinch hitting a bit this evening uh for Clerk Van Meter, so we look forward to that.

2:12

So uh that said, uh we'll get started with section C, our presentations.

2:16

We have a proclamate proclamation and a resolution presentation.

2:20

And I will turn uh to Mayor Jadwin to get us started.

2:24

Thank you very much, Mr.

2:24

President.

2:25

Well, tonight I am uh pleased to present a proclamation uh to recognize the Gehanna Lincoln Lions boys bowling team uh for an exceptional 2025-26 season.

2:35

Uh you might remember that just a short time ago uh council uh and I joined together to jointly recognize Team Captain Kale Klaus uh for being the first individual state champion.

2:47

Uh and at that time the team was preparing to go uh to nationals, which were held right here uh in Columbus, Ohio.

2:53

Well, they did.

2:54

They went and they conquered.

2:55

Uh they finished second in the nation among 77 teams.

2:59

Setting yeah, woo!

3:06

Certainly setting records along the way, which we'll hear about in uh in a minute.

3:09

Uh certainly the dedication, the teamwork uh and excellence demonstrated by the team, uh I think reflected a great source of pride, uh, not only from Gehanna Lincoln High School, but for the entire Gehana community.

3:20

And so this evening wanted to recognize uh the team and their coaches uh and just the pride that they brought to our community, the way they represented the city uh on a national stage, as well as the state stage preceding that, uh, and just really for what was an exceptional season.

3:36

So congratulations to all of you, and I know council will be joining as well, so I'll turn this back over to you, Mr.

3:42

President.

3:43

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

3:44

Uh always tough to follow your comments, uh, and I would echo many of those, and just uh on on behalf of my council colleagues, congratulate you all on an incredible season and uh so happy to have you back and look forward to all of your continued success.

4:00

So I think uh we will gather for a photo.

4:03

If you would, and I see Coach Yvonne came with the hardware.

4:06

Sorry, carry carrying that down the down.

4:08

So if you'd like, we'll we'll meet in the middle for a photo.

4:10

Uh and then uh coach, you can have a couple of minutes uh to speak if you'd like.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████████████24%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Historic Preservation█████████9%
Youth Programs████████8%
Community Engagement███████7%
Transportation Safety████4%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Miscellaneous██2%
Summary of Proceedings

City Council Regular Meeting - August 12, 2026

This meeting was held on the specified date of August 12, 2026, though the agenda, minutes, and transcript consistently indicate the original meeting date was August 3, 2026. The council convened at 7:04 PM with all seven members present. The agenda included presentations, public hearings, consent agenda, resolutions, and multiple ordinances, all of which were passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of July 20, 2026 (special, regular, and Committee of the Whole).
  • Adopted ORD-0027-2026, amending copy charges for law enforcement video records to align with Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43. (Unanimous 7-0)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jim McGregor (180 Academy Court, former mayor) spoke about the history of preserving the Lustron House and Hamilton House. He described the collaborative effort between the city, Jefferson School House Group, and Gahanna Historical Society to create a museum and green space.
  • Tom Gregory (123 Southwind Court) provided details on the Lustron House: only 2,498 built nationally, fewer than 1,500 remain; 111 three-bedroom models built, ~20-30 of that specific size exist. He proposed restoration for education/Airbnb use and an herb garden on the adjacent lot. Two Jefferson Foundation grants are available with September deadlines; the city's position is needed before applying.
  • Patricia Kovacs (527 Haversham Drive) expressed support for the proposed helmet law for minors after initial concerns were resolved. She noted helmets can be purchased in bulk for approximately $11 each, suggested prohibiting e-scooters in business districts, and emphasized the importance of helmets based on personal experience.

Discussion Items

  • Bowling Team Recognition: Mayor Jadwin presented a proclamation for the Gahanna Lincoln Lions boys bowling team for their second-place finish at the 2026 U.S. High School Bowling National Championship (77 teams). Coach Yvonne Quiero highlighted records: first individual state champion (Kael Clous), first top-four state finish, OCC and district championships, and a 1,213 team game record. Council adopted RES-0040-2026 honoring the team (unanimous).
  • Intern Presentation: Caris Lantz, a MORPC intern, presented her summer work: economic development education materials for council, City Hall history research (five meeting locations from 1881 to present), digitization of over 450 historical documents, e-bike policy research, and public notice requirements inventory. She received thanks from Council.
  • Sidewalk Special Assessments (ORD-0024-2026 & ORD-0025-2026): Mayor Jadwin explained the public hearing was rescheduled from a month earlier due to cost anomalies. Staff re-evaluated all 300+ properties and issued revised letters. Three residents spoke: Lazar Purdef (609 Deer Run Dr.) questioned costs and curb damage; Scott Pardo (351 Chilton Pl.) raised transparency concerns about $3,000 charge for one block replacement and five grindings; Chris Ferrante (1061 Woodtown Dr.) argued about utility easements and fairness, noting the city did not examine why damage occurred. Council delayed action to allow staff to meet with residents. After the meeting, Senior Director Schultz explained the cost columns (total cost, owner defect aggregate, owner cost at 50%) and acknowledged the letter may be confusing. Staff will revisit properties and improve communication. Both ordinances were amended with substitute Exhibit A and adopted as emergency (7-0 each).
  • Hamilton Road Urban Paving Design Contract (ORD-0026-2026): Waiver of second reading and emergency adoption were granted for grant timing. The project covers from the bridge to Hamilton and Granville Roads, aligned with bridge and high school construction. Adopted 7-0 after discussion.
  • Helmet Law (ORD-0028-2026): Amended by substitute Exhibit A, adopted 7-0. Councilmember Padova thanked Patricia Kovacs for her input. The ordinance adds Section 373.11 requiring helmets for minors riding bicycles.
  • Tax Incentive Review Council (ORD-0029-2026) and Surety Bonds (ORD-0030-2026): Introduced for first reading. ORD-0030-2026 was noted to be on the Committee of the Whole agenda immediately following the meeting.
  • Correspondence: Clerk VanMeter reported submission of 10 charter amendment resolutions to the Franklin County Board of Elections; next step is legal advertising. A liquor permit transfer for La Navona (154 N. Hamilton Road) from JMJ FM LLC to S&E Hospitality Group LLC was noted with no police objections; no hearing requested.
  • Representative Reports: CIC (Renner/Padova) – attended a special meeting on July 31 evaluating property acquisition for the Gahanna Strategic Plan and Creekside Redevelopment Strategy. MORPC (Weaver) – report available; next commission meeting August 13; 2027-2028 Public Policy Agenda working group began. CVB (Padova) – Pelotonia Spirit Station with 8,000 riders; motor coach tours from Michigan; Experience Columbus Insider class; ProMusica Live at Headley Park on August 15. School Board (Jones) – upcoming meetings (Aug 6, 18, 20 at Clark Hall); central office moved to Clark Hall.
  • Mayor’s Report: City Hall move to 825 Tech Center Drive underway. Last day at 200 S. Hamilton Road is Friday, August 7. City Hall closed August 10-11; opens to public Thursday, August 13. Police field services move August 17 at 6:00 AM. Mayor's Court will resume August 20. Official dedication ceremony August 25. Upcoming events: National Night Out (August 4), Gahanna Market (August 5), Vets Rods & Classics (August 8 at new location), Creekside Hops & Vines (August 29).
  • Council Comments: Councilmembers praised the new facility (825 Tech Center), intern Caris Lantz, and highlighted World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7). London Studer's selection as first-round draft pick in the Women's Professional Baseball League was congratulated.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes were unanimous (7-0) on the consent agenda, resolutions, and all ordinances.
  • ORD-0024-2026 and ORD-0025-2026 (sidewalk assessments) adopted as amended with substitute Exhibit A, declaring an emergency.
  • ORD-0026-2026 (Hamilton Road design) adopted as emergency after second reading was waived.
  • ORD-0028-2026 (helmet law) adopted as amended.
  • RES-0040-2026 (bowling team) adopted.
  • ORD-0029-2026 and ORD-0030-2026 introduced for first reading.
  • Staff will revisit sidewalk properties this week to verify quantities and provide improved communication to residents.
  • City hall move timeline confirmed: public lobby begins August 13; police move August 17.
  • Charter amendments and liquor permit transfer processed without objection.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Today is Monday, August 3rd, 2026. I've got 704 p.m., so I'd like to go ahead and call to order this regular meeting of Gehanna City Council. If you please join me and stand if you're able for the invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Vice President Jones. This meeting belongs to all of us. Those present in the room and those watching from home. Those who speak today and those whose concerns are carried by others. We come together across differences of background, belief, and perspective, bound by our shared stake in this community's future. May our time together be productive and principled. May we listen more than we assume. Seek understanding before judgment and work towards solutions that lift our entire community. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Thank you, Ms. Jones. Mr. Clerk, would you please call the role? Here. McGregor. Here. Pedova. Here. Renner. Here. Schnetzer. Weaver. Here. All right, thank you, Mr. Clerk. All right. Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda? Seeing none, uh, a couple of housekeeping items. Uh we have a full house this evening, and we have a couple very lengthy agendas here, so thank you everyone for being here. Um, uh, we have a couple presentations here, and then we'll we we have our hearing of visitors section, which is for general comments, and then we have our public hearings. We do ask that if you are are planning to speak in either of those uh agenda items, please see the clerk and fill out a speaker slip. Um if you are here for the public hearing, we do ask that you speak during the public hearing portion uh when we get there. Uh I would also like to highlight our our uh council office uh uh our morpsey intern, Miss Lance will be uh pinch hitting a bit this evening uh for Clerk Van Meter, so we look forward to that. So uh that said, uh we'll get started with section C, our presentations. We have a proclamate proclamation and a resolution presentation. And I will turn uh to Mayor Jadwin to get us started. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Well, tonight I am uh pleased to present a proclamation uh to recognize the Gehanna Lincoln Lions boys bowling team uh for an exceptional 2025-26 season. Uh you might remember that just a short time ago uh council uh and I joined together to jointly recognize Team Captain Kale Klaus uh for being the first individual state champion. Uh and at that time the team was preparing to go uh to nationals, which were held right here uh in Columbus, Ohio. Well, they did. They went and they conquered. Uh they finished second in the nation among 77 teams. Setting yeah, woo! Certainly setting records along the way, which we'll hear about in uh in a minute. Uh certainly the dedication, the teamwork uh and excellence demonstrated by the team, uh I think reflected a great source of pride, uh, not only from Gehanna Lincoln High School, but for the entire Gehana community.

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